Stepson of Norway’s crown prince denies drugging alleged rape victim

Marius Borg Hoiby, the 29-year-old stepson of Norway’s crown prince, on Thursday denied in court in Oslo that he ever drugged an alleged rape victim, as he continued his testimony in a trial that has drawn national attention.

Hoiby, who became part of the royal family when his mother, Mette-Marit, married Crown Prince Haakon in 2001, is facing 38 criminal charges and could be sentenced to several years in prison if convicted.

On Tuesday, he pleaded not guilty to four counts of rape and one count of domestic violence. He pleaded guilty to offensive sexual behaviour, driving too fast and driving without a valid licence.

He also said he was partially guilty, a plea allowed under Norwegian law, of aggravated assault and reckless behaviour.

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During Thursday’s hearing, prosecutors questioned Hoiby about his phone search history, which included terms such as “rape.”

“Is this something you are interested in?” asked prosecutor Sturla Henriksboe.

“I have looked at a lot of weird stuff,” Hoiby replied, wearing jeans and a marine blue jumper over a white T-shirt, occasionally fiddling with a beaded bracelet.

According to Reuters, the court also revisited allegations linked to a 2018 incident in the basement of the Crown Prince’s family residence outside Oslo. 

However, the alleged victim has said she was certain she had been drugged.

“Did you dope her down?” Henriksboe asked.

“Never,” Hoiby replied.

Henriksboe went on to ask whether Hoiby knew of drugs that could “dope down” someone, such as ketamine, and whether he could have access to them.

Hoiby said he knew of such substances and could probably obtain them.

John Christian Elder, the lawyer representing the alleged victim, questioned Hoiby about the charges involving victims who were allegedly sleeping or unconscious.

“I don’t remember that episode so I don’t know whether there was consent or not,” Hoiby said, referring to the 2018 case.

On Wednesday, Hoiby denied that videos found on his phone showed acts of rape and became emotional while speaking about growing up in the public eye.

The trial has unfolded amid renewed scrutiny of Crown Princess Mette-Marit following reports about her past ties to late U.S. sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The revelations have affected public confidence in the royal family.

Recent opinion polls suggest the monarchy’s popularity has declined, though most Norwegians still support the institution.

A Norstat survey of 1,025 people for public broadcaster NRK and daily Dagbladet, published on Wednesday, found that 44% believe Mette-Marit is unfit to become queen, while 35% were uncertain and 22% said she is suitable.

Another poll for Aftenposten, conducted on February 2–3 among 1,024 respondents, showed that 54% of Norwegians support retaining the monarchy, while 33% favour becoming a republic.

Earlier this week, Norway’s parliament also overwhelmingly endorsed the monarchy in a long-planned vote.

(Reuters)